London boroughs ‘snub living wage’

Just four of the capital’s 33 local authorities have incorporated the London Living Wage into their procurement policies according to responses to FOI requests made by the Green Party.

Currently set at £7.45 per hour, the London Living Wage is higher than the legal national minimum wage and is calculated by the Greater London Authority to reflect the true minimum income workers in the capital need to earn to remain above the poverty level.

Green Party London Assembly member Darren Johnson said: “it is a disgrace that only a few London councils have policies that safeguard their employees from poverty wages. London councils should follow the examples of Transport for London, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the Greater London Authority in adopting a Living Wage policy and ensuring quality of life for their workforce.”

Mr Johnson said he would be calling on the Mayor “to encourage local London councils to implement a Living Wage policy for all their workers.”